26×26 – T is for Tubby Hayes

A British jazz player that could compete with American musicians? Hardly a commonly held view, until this fella came along. Sure, George Shearing, Ronnie Scott, Victor Feldman and others had made a name for themselves and raised the profile of UK jazz to an international level, but (saxophonist, vibraphonist, flautist, composer, arranger and bandleader) Tubby Hayes raised the bar. Hayes died tragically early, at 38, following heart problems, but achieved so much in such a short time.

Tubbs was at his peak in the 1960s. His ability, said Scott, “scared me to death”. In 1961 he was the first English jazz soloist to hold down a residency at a New York club, and he recorded this album. Later in the decade he toured the US, recorded with Roland Kirk and Paul Gonsalves, appeared in a movie with Charles Mingus, deputized in Duke Ellington’s band and, even more astonishingly, was awarded a prime time slot on TV for Tubby Plays Hayes.

I first came across the slouching, swinging tune Pint Of Bitter from New York Sessions on a cheapo jazz compilation, and a good few years later, was fortunate to track down this CD. It’s still pretty scarce. In fact, if you ever find any of Tubbs’ vinyl records on Fontana second hand, snap them up and sit on a goldmine.

On New York Sessions, Tubbs is assisted by Clark Terry (trumpet), Horace Parlan (piano), George Duvivier (bass), and Eddie Costa on vibes.  Tubby jumps out of the blocks on the opening You For Me with some dog-off-the-leash tenor and digs right in, the group right there with him. He’s brilliantly proficient, but there’s soul and blues in his tone, and the record has an intimate ‘small jazz club’ ambience that’s hard to beat.

I don’t have many jazz albums. I’ve got a few other favourites (Charlie Haden and Art Pepper to name two) but this record is terrifically well played and involving, so it was the one I chose to write about for this series.

Here’s some vintage Hayes, introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton. Niiiice.

P.S. I could just as easily have written about Teenage Fanclub and the album Grand Prix, but it’s good to write about something a bit different, as much as I love Teenage Fanclub (who incidentally use the same look for their web site as I do. Good taste!).

Wonder what U will be?